Sterilizer



pr 1946. I J. c.- CLEAVER rm. 2,398,770

STERILIZER Filed Feb. 5, 1942 3 sheets sheet l INVENTOR5.

BY JzdeaZ/e nejzasefiv,

April23,1946- J. c. CLEAVER ETAL 2,398,770

STERILIZER IN VENI'ORSv Jbhn/ O. Ceaz/er Ba/@465 Z/ernafiasefd w April 231946. J. c. CLEAVER ETAL 2,393,770

STERILIZER Filed Feb. 5, 1942 s Shets-Sheet 3 w? g a? INVEN'fORS. Ceauez" Jules Marne/B86612 Patented Apr. 23, 1946 STERILIZER John C. Cleaver, Whitefish Bay, and Jules Verne Resek, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Cleaver- Brooks Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application February 5, 1942, Serial No. 429,690

12 Claims.

The invention relates generally to a sterilizer and more particularly to a combination sterilizer and boiler unit.

A general object of the invention is to provide a combination sterilizer and boiler unit which is highly eflicient, compact and sturdy, as well as possessing additional new and improved construction.

One of the more particular objects is to provide a new and improved construction wherein. the sterilizer and boiler are built as a single, integral unit.

Another object is to provide aunitary sterilizer and boiler construction wherein the base of the unit forms the boiler and the jacket for the sterilizer, is in eifect a divided continuation'of the boiler.

Another object is to provide a unitary sterilizer and boiler construction wherein the boiler is of the multiple-pass, horizontal tube type and is located in the bottom of the unit.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved unitary sterilizer and boiler construction, in combination with a heat generating source, all particularly adapted for use as a selfcontained portable structure.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a sterilizer embodying the features of this invention mounted on a portable chassis. a

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the'sterilizer as shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a top planview in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the sterilizer as shown in Fig. 1.

of the sterilizer shown Fig. 5 is an enlarged view taken approximately.

along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, so as to be partially in vertical, longitudinal section and partially in elevation, and showing only the sterilizer unit proper.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 6-,-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional view taken ap proximately along the line 'l-'l of Fig. 6. i

V Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the feed water system.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions and adaptable for use with various types of boilers, it is herein shown and will hereinafter be described in a preferred form. However, it is not intendedthat the invention is to be limited thereby to the specific construction disclosed, but it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

For purposes of disclosure, the invention is shown in the drawings as embodied in a portable structure, such employment in aportable, self contained structure being a feature of this invention. However, the invention is equally adaptable and advantageous as a stationary structure, and it is not intended that theinvention is in any way to be limited to a portable construction. i

Generally speaking, the structure comprises a sterilizer, generally designated lo, a boiler, generallydesignated II, and boiler firing means '(not' shown) all herein enclosed in a streamlined exterior and mounted on a portable base or chassis, as will later be described in greater particularity.

A feature of the invention is the unitar construction of the boiler and sterilizer which are so thoroughly and completely integrated into a unitary structure that their physical parts, as well as their functions, overlap. This unitary structure, composed of sterilizer and boiler, is generally rectangular in transverse, and in longitudinal, horizontal and verticalsections, with the boiler ll located immediately below the sterilizer Ill. Making up this unit (seeFigs. 5 to 7) is an outer shell or casing, generally designated 12, and composed of sidewalls l3, 2. top wall I4, and a bottom wall l5. Disposed within this outer shell or casing and occupying the upper approximately three-quarters of the space within the outer shell I2 is a second or inner shell orcasing I 6 which, together with end walls presently to be described, defines the sterilizer chamber. This shell l6, like the shell I2, is generally rectangular in all sections-and thus has side walls IT, a top wall I8, and a bottom wall l9, respectively parallel with the side, top and bottom walls of the outer shell. As best seen in Figs. 5 and 6, the inner shell I6 is somewhat narrower than the outer shell l2 and is spaced downwardly from the'outer top wall M a corresponding distance, so that there is formed between the walls a space 20 for the reception of steam or water to form a jacket, as will presently become apparent. The corners of the outer and inner shells l2 and I6 are preferably rounded, as best shown in Fig. 6, for strength, convenience in manufacture, and. other advantages.

One end of the sterilizer chamber is permanently closed by an end wall 2| of suitable, heavy gage material which also extends outwardly of the inner shell [6 to be secured in fluid-tight relationship to the top and side walls l4 and I3 of the outer shell l2. The space below the end wall 2| is closed by a plate 22 secured as by bolts 23 to inturned flanges 24 on the bottom and side walls l and 13 of the outer shell. The opposite end of the sterilizer chamber i s,-closjed bya removable, hinged closure 25 of a conventional construction providing a fluid-tight shell space beneath the sterilizer is utilized for the boiler II. In order to make possible a highly efiicient and compact unit construction ,of sterilizer and boiler, the boiler herein is of the forced draft, horizontal, fire tube'type'and comprisesa main combustion tube 30 of large diameter, forming a first pass, and aplurality of tubes 3| of smaller diameter grouped to form a second pass 32, a third pass 33, and a fourth pass 34 for the hot gases of combustion. As best seen in Figs. 5 to 7, the tubes extend longitudinally of the boiler with themain fire tube 30 at one side. Further, as best shown in Fig. 6, the second pass 32 herein is composed of nine; tubes, while the third and fourth passes 33 and 34 are composed of six tubes each, though this number may, of course, be varied with changes in conditionsor the demands to be made on the boiler and sterilizer. Q The smaller tubes 3| are secured at their ends and open through headers or partitions 3G and 31 at the forward and rear end, respectively, of the boiler. These headers or partitions are welded or otherwise secured in fluid-tight relationto the bottom wall. l5 and. to the lower portions of the outer side walls I3. Both headers extend upwardly short of the bottom wall 'l9of the inner shell bottom a distance approximately equal to the spacing between the walls of. the inner and outer shells. In the case of the for ward header 36, it is spaced rearwardly, that-is, inwardly from the plate 22 adista'nce dictated by good boiler design, and the space s'oiofmed is closed at its top by a horizontally disposed plate 38 secured by welding or other means in fluid tight relationship with the header 3li, the plate 22 and the end wall 2!, as well as with the side walls l3 of the outer shell. This plate, as best seen in Fig. 6, though. it might be horizontal throughout, is preferably curved at its ends to conform with the shape of the inner shell [6.

The baflle chamber so formed is preferably lined" throughout its periphery with suitablerefractory material 39. The combustion tubeor large and main fire tube 30 also is supported in and opens through the headers 36 and 31. In the forward bafiie chamber, an annular ring 4| of suitable refractory material, supported in a metallic sleeve 42 bolted to the plate 22, is disposed concentric with the tube 30 so asto form a continuity thereof extending completely across the bafile chamber. Interposed between the plate 22 and the header 33 is a baflle' 43 dividing the tubes 3| of the third pass 33 from the fourth pass 34. Leading from the space to which the tubes of the fourth pass discharge is a flue M discharging the gases to atmosphere;

- outer shell.

' ship.

The boiler H might extend the full length of the sterilizer I9, or it might be somewhat shorter than the sterilizer, depending upon the capacity and efficiency of the boiler. In the present instance, the boiler is, by way of example, illustrated as somewhat shorter than the sterilizer H). In order, therefore, to provide a rear baffle chamber, a plate or partition 45 is disposed in parallel but longitudinally spaced relation with the header 31. This plate is secured by welding or by means, such as bolts 46, to inwardly extending flanges 41 on the bottom wall [5 and the lower portions of the side walls I3 of the The top of the rear baffle chamber is closed by a horizontal plate 48 extending from the. closure plate 26 to the header 31 and from outer side wall l3 to outer side wall 13. The plate 48, like the plate 38, is preferably curved at its side edges so as to conform with the curvature of the inner shell H5, and is secured by welding or other means in fluid-tight relation- The baflle chamber is again lined with refractorymaterial 39 about its periphery, and the plate 45 also is faced on its inner side with a block 50 of refractory material. A' suitable baill'e 5| extends between the header 3? and the block 50, as best seen in Fig. '7, to divide the tubes of the second pass 32 from the tubes of the third pass 33. 'j v f 7 It will be seen from the foregoing thatthrough out the entire length of the boiler and, herein, throughout the major portion of t ,e length of the sterilizer, and this might also be the entire length as above stated,'theja'cketsurrounding the sterilizer is in direct, open and unobstructed communication with the boiler. As a matter of fact, the physical as well as .the functional features of the sterilizer and the boiler overlap, for the bottom wall IQ of the inner shell serves both as the bottom wall for the sterilizer and the top wall for the boiler, while the boiler inturn serves as a jacket for the bottom of thesterilizer. Moreover, inoperation,.the lower portion of the sterilizer serves as part of the boiler, for water is normally supplied to the boiler in such quantities that it rises part way up into'the' space between the side walls of'the sterilizer, as best seen in Fig. 6. By the construction herein'disclosed, numerous advantages of'efliciency, compactness, and ease of construction and operation are obtained. 1

The boiler is intended to be, and is here "shown as, heated by an oil burner of. the blower type, discharging to the main tube '30 fuel oil, primary air and secondary air in large volume andall. under pressure, causing the boiler to operate at forced draft, Any oil burner of well known c nstruction may be employed, and, by way of example; an oil burner such as that disclosed in the'United States patent to Richard A. .Sharp, No. 1,976,097., dated October 9, 1934. Inasmuch-as theburnerforms no part of this invention, only burner'discharge tube 53 is shown. This is adapted, as best seen in Fig. 7, to project partially into the annular ring an unusually compact, sturdy; but yet highly em cient integral sterilizer and boiler unit results. The unit is, therefore, uniquely adapted for portable mounting and hence has herein been disclosed as a completely self-contained, portable unit for usein the field. To that end, there is secured to eachside wall It of the outer shell near the bottom thereof an angle iron 58 extending longitudinally thereof, enabling the sterilizer and boiler unit to be supported upon and secured to channel irons 59 forming a, chassis frame, generally designated 60 (see Fig. 1). The undercarriage structure for the chassis frame'is' composed of a main axle 6|, semi-elliptical springs 62 interposed in conventional manner between the axle GI and the chassis frame 60, and dual wheels 63 on each end of the axle. The axle 6| is located slightly rearwardly of the center of gravit of the complete unit, with the forward end of the complete unit supported in horizontal position by a single wheel 64 which is retractible in conventional mane ner when the complete unit is to be transported, as by means of a truck hitched to a coupling 65 at the forwardmost end of the chassis frame.

Forwardly of the sterilizer, a compartmentis provided for housing the oil burner and other mechanism, such as a pump, which will presently be described. This housing may be formed by continuations I3 and It or the side and top walls of the outer shell, a lowered but fixed end closure 66 and louvered, hinged side closures 61. The completed unit also projects laterally near the bottom to form tanks 68 for water, tanks 69 for fuel, and compartments 70 for tools or other equipment or supplies.

In Fig. 8, there is disclosed diagrammatically a feed water system for the boiler. This system includes a pump 12 which has an intake port and a pair of discharge ports. The intake port isconnected toa three-way valve 13 which has an outside hose connection M and a conduit 15 leading to aconduit l6 connecting the two water tanks 68. One of the discharge ports of the pump has a conduit 1! leading to the boiler feeder, while the other discharge port has a conduit 18 also leading to the conduit 16 connecting the water tanks. Interposed in the conduit 76 between the point of discharge thereto of the conduit is and the adjacent water tank is a valve, 19, and similarly interposed, in the conduit 16 between the point of discharge thereto of the conduit 75 and the other tank is a valve 88. Additional valves SI and 82 are interposed in the conduits 15 and I8, respectively, between the three-way valve 13 and the conduit 16, and between the pump and the conduit 16. Thus, with the proper adjustment of the various valves, appropriate circuits may be obtained so that water may b th pump be drawn through the outside hose connection from a well, pond, or stream and discharged to the boiler feeder directly, or to fill either or both tanks 68 to build up the reserve supply. If a source of Water under pressure i available, it may be connected to the outside hose connection 14 and the water tanks 68 filled directly without use of the pump. With the tanks 68 full, water may be drawn by the pump from either tank and discharged to the boiler feeder or the tanks may be drained through'the outside hose connection.

We claim as our invention:

1. A sterilizing apparatus comprising, in combination, an outer casing having top, bottom, side and end walls, an inner casing having top, bottom and side walls and with the end walls of said outer casing forming a chamber for the reception of the objects to be sterilized, one end wall having an opening therein for accessto the chamber, a closure for said opening, the top and side walls of said. inner casing 'being spaced from corresponding walls of said outer casingforming therewith a jacket, thebottom wallsof said casings bein spaced a greater distance than are said top and sidewalls and forming with the side and end walls of said outer casing a boiler space, a horizontally disposed, longitudinally extending fire tube disposed in the'space between said bottom walls, and means also disposed in the space between said bottom walls forming a plurality of passes for the products of combustion formed in the fire tube.

, 2. A sterilizing apparatus comprising, in combination, an outer casing. having top, bottom, side and end walls, an'inner casing having top, bottom and sidewalls and with the end walls of said outer casingforming a chamber for the reception of the objects to be sterilized, the top and side walls of said inner casing being spaced from corresponding walls of said outer casing forming therewith a jacket, the bottom walls of said casings being spaced a greater distance than are said top and side wallsto provide a boiler chamber immediately beneath the bottom wall of said inner casing and in open communication throughout its length with the space surrounding said inner casing, and

a plurality offire tubes in said boiler chamber extendinglongitudinally thereof and parallel with the bottom'wall of said inner casing.

3. Asterilizing apparatus comprising, in combination, an outer enlongated casing having top,

. bottom, side and end walls, an inner casing having top,bottom, and side walls and with the end walls of said outer casing forming a chamber for the reception of the. objectsto be sterilized, said inner casing being narrowerthan said outer casing and .positionedat the top in said outer casing butin spaced relation, to the top wall thereof to form between the top and side walls of said casings anarrow space, said inner casing being substantially shallower than said outer casing, to

leave in the bottom of said outer casing a substantial space forming aboiler chamber open throughoutits length directly to the narrow space about-said inner casing, means including'a header forming'a baffle chamber at one end of the boiler chamber, means including a second header forming a battle chamber at the otherend of the boiler chamber, a main fire tube extending at one end through one bafile chamber and opening at the other end to the other baflle chamber, and a plurality of auxiliary fire tubes forming aplurality of passes through the boiler chamber mounted with their ends in and opening through said headers to the baiiie chambers.

i 4. A sterilizing apparatus comprising, in-combination, an-outer elongated casing having top, bottom, side and end walls, an inner casing having top, bottom, and side walls and with the end walls of said outer casing forming a chamber for the reception of the objects to be sterilized, said inner casing being narrower than said outer casing and positioned at the top in said outer casing but in spaced relation to the top wall thereof to throughout-its length directly to the narrow space about said inner casing, a first header disposed in the boilerchamber --p arallel with and spaced inwardly of one end; wall of said outer casing and extending upwardly from the bottom wall short or the bottom wall of said inner casing, a horizontal plate closing the top of the space so formedby the header and end wall to form a bafile chamber, a second header disposed in the boiler chamber and extending upwardly from the outer bottom wall short of the inner bottom wall, said second header being disposed in a plane parallel with said first header, a plate disposed in said boiler chamber parallel with said second header and aiding in the formation of a second bafile chamber, said last mentioned plate being positioned in inwardly spaced relation to the adjacent end wall, and a.

second horizontalplate extending from saidsec-- ond header to said adjacent end wall to complete a bafile chamber, said second horizontal plate being spaced from the inner bottom wall to provide a narrow space between the inner bottom wall and the top of said second baffie chamber, a main fire tube extending at one end through one of the baffle chambers and opening at the other end to the other baffle chamber, and a plurality of auxiliary fire tubes forming a plurality of passes through the boiler chamber mounted with their ends supported in and opening through said headers to the ballle chambers.

5; A sterilizing apparatus comprising, in com- ,bination, an outer elongated casing having top,

bottom and sidewalls and a first permanent end closure and a closure for the other end formed partially by fixed means and partially by a removable closure element, inner top and side walls extending between the end closures and spaced from the corresponding walls of the outer casing to form between the top and side walls a jacket space, a partition wall extending from one end closure to the other and from one inner side wall to the other intermediate the inner top wall and the outer bottom-wall dividing the outer easing into an upper chamber, for reception of the objects to be sterilized, and a lower chamber communicating with the space between the inner and outer side walls throughout the entire length of the lower chamber, means including a first header and a portion of said permanent end closure forminga'ballie chamber at one end of the boiler chamber, means including a second header and a plate spacedinwardly of the other end closure forming-a second baflie chamber, and a plurality offire tubes supported by saidheaders.

6. A sterilizing apparatus comprising, in combination, a sterilizer having double, spaced, top and side walls forming a partially annular space serving as a water or steam jacket, an inner bottom wall extending from one inner side wall to the other to permit the annular space to open downwardly, an outer bottom wall spaced from said inner bottom wall,'the outer side walls extending downwardly beyond said inner bot-tom wall to said outer bottom wall to aid in forming a boiler, the top wall of which is formed by said inner bottom wall, and a fire tube in the space between said bottom walls.

7. A sterilizing apparatus comprising, in combination, a sterilizer providing a chamber for the reception of objects to be sterilized and having a jacket surrounding the top and sides of the chamber only, the bottom being formed by a wall of single thickness, and a boiler of the fire tube type formed as a unitary structure with and immediately below said sterilizer with the jacket at both sides opening directly to the boiler throughout the length thereof and the boiler opening throughout to the bottom wall of the chamber.

8. A portable sterilizing apparatus comprising a chassis, an outer casing mounted on said chassis, a partition extending transversely of said outer casing and forming therewith a compartment adapted to house an oil burner, inner top and side walls extending fromsaid partition to the opposite end of said outer casing, said walls being disposed in spaced relation to the corresponding walls of said outer casing to form therebetween a narrow space, a generally horizontal partition extending from said transverse partition to the remaining end wall and from one inner side wall to the other and forming with the first mentioned partition and the casing walls an upper chamber for the reception of articles to be sterilized and a lower boiler chamber, and longitudinally extending and horizontally disposed fire tubes in the boiler chamber including a main fire tube.

9. A sterilizing apparatus comprising, in combination, an elongated sterilizer having as its side and top portions double, laterally spaced walls forming a jacket-like space for water or steam, an inner bottom wall extending only between the inner one of the double walls of the side portions to permit the space formed between the double walls to open downwardly, and a boiler of the fire tube type formed as a unitary structure with and immediately below said sterilizer having side Walls formed as continuations of the outer walls of the side portions of the sterilizer, a bottom and end walls, said boiler opening throughout its top directly to the underneath surface of said inner bottom wall and being in direct and unrestricted communication throughout its length with the space surrounding said sterilizer, and means extending longitudinally of the boiler forming passes for the heating medium.

10. A sterilizing apparatus comprising, in combination, an elongated sterilizer having as its side and top portions double, laterally spaced walls forming a jacket-like space for water or steam, an inner bottom wall extending only between the inner one of the double walls of the side portions to permit the space formed between the double walls to open downwardly, and a boiler of the fire tube type formed as a unitary structure with and immediately below said sterilizer having side walls formed by integral extensions of the outer walls of the side portions, a bottom wall and end walls, said boiler having direct and unrestricted communication throughout its length with both ends of the space surrounding said sterilizer, and means including a fire tube extending longitudinally of and within said boiler providing passes for the heating medium.

11. A sterilizing apparatus comprising, in combination, an elongated sterilizer having as its side and top portions double, laterally spaced walls forming a jacket-like space for water or steam, a bottom wall extending only between the inner one of the double walls of the side portions to permit the space formed between the double walls to open downwardly uninterruptedly throughout the length of said side portions, a boiler shell having side walls formed as extensions of the outer side walls of the sterilizer, a bottom wall and end walls, said boiler shell being open throughout its top directly to the bottom wall of the sterilizer, said boiler being positioned immediately beneath the sterilizer to be in direct communication.

throughout its length with the space surrounding the sterilizer, a main fire tube extending longitudinally of said boiler shell, and a plurality of tubes also extending longitudinally of said boiler casing in its vertical dimension and occupying 1 the upper portion only of the space within said outer casing, and means in the space beneath said inner casing forming with said outer casing a boiler opening throughout its top directly to the underneath surface of said inner casing and communicating directly throughout its length with the narrow space between said casings, said means including a plurality of fire tubes positioned in the boiler space extending longitudinally of and parallel with the bottom of said sterilizer.

JOHN C. CLEAVER. JULES VERNE RESEK. 

